John M. McGregor, 91, of New Effington

Posted: Monday, Feb 17th, 2014

NEW EFFINGTON — John M. McGregor, 91, of New Effington, died Thursday at the Rosholt Care Center, Rosholt.

Memorial services will be Wednesday at the Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with the Rev. Tryphine Olson Schruba officiating. Organist will be Debra Bredvik. Military honors will be provided by the Read-Veflin American Legion Post 180 of New Effington.

Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis.

John Maitland McGregor was born on May 4, 1922, to Edwin E. and Myrna (Mabee) McGregor in Parker. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, Canistota. He grew up along with sister Mary and brothers Lee and Edd on a farm in McCook County. He attended school in Salem and graduated from Canistota High School in 1940. To further his education he went to SDSU, Brookings, until entering the U.S. Army on June 14, 1943, where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant. For his service, John received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. After his discharge on Feb. 7, 1946, he returned to SDSU and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Chemistry in 1949. Later on he attended the Madison School of Banking in Madison, Wis., in 1952 and 1953.

In 1944, John was united in marriage with Jean Minder of Milbank and to this union three children were born, David, Kathryn and Daniel.

In 1964, he was united in marriage to Joy L. (Broderson) Johnson in Aberdeen.

During his productive years, John managed livestock ranches from September 1949 to September 1952 in addition to teaching in Wolsey. He was hired as Ag Representative by Northwest Security Bank, Huron, until 1962, when he moved to New Effington to assume the role of manager of Bank of New Effington and the New Effington Insurance Agency. In 1963 he purchased the controlling interest in that bank and continued to service the community as well as developing some livestock, farming and real estate interests. In 1975 he sold his interest in the bank and continued to be productive in other ventures, one of them serving as Director of Economic Development for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate from 1975 to 1979.

During his lifetime, John was involved in various fraternal, benevolent and community organizations such as Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Masons, Shriners and American Legion while living in Huron. He was an active participant on church councils, town boards, city boards, school boards and enjoyed serving on the Roberts County Zoning Board.

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church and the Read-Veflin American Legion Post #180 in New Effington.

Left to mourn are his wife, Joy of New Effington; son, David (LeAnn) McGregor of Grandview, Mo.; daughter, Kathryn (Tom) Haass of Gig Harbor, Wash.; grandson, Andrew McGregor of Minneapolis, Minn., who filled the void in his heart on the death of his son Daniel; stepchildren, Mary Skole of Westminster, Colo., John (Sandra) Johnson of Fremont, Neb., Jorga “Gigi” (Kim) Gallion of Sioux Falls, and Elaine (widow of David Johnson) Johnson of Lancaster, S.C.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Edd McGregor of Salem; sister, Mary (Arnold) Cook of Clarion, Iowa; sister-in-law, Dorothy McGregor of Freeport, Ill.; along with nephews and nieces.

John was preceded in death by his parents; son, Daniel G. McGregor; grandson, Charles McGregor; stepson, David Johnson; and brother, Lee McGregor.